Polymerase chain reaction of whole cell lysates for the detection of vibrio vulnificus

Abstract

A quantitative, efficient, and rapid method of detecting cells of the human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus, using the polymerase chain reaction is described. The technique employs whole cell lysates as the source of template DNA, and amplifies the cytotoxin/hemolysin gene. Using primers internal to this gene, we were able to detect a single cell of V. vulnificus. This method, which does not require DNA extraction or use of a probe, may facilitate the detection of low levels of this pathogen when present in shellfish.